ywriter5

[Saxon Stonedyke]

Has anyone used this? I've been looking it over and it appears that it would be invaluable for keeping up with all the people, places and things in a series.

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Has anyone used this? I've been looking it over and it appears that it would be invaluable for keeping up with all the people, places and things in a series.

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

I use it for long and/or complex stories. I like it and it's free.

 

[PennLady]

I have it but haven't had the patience to figure it out or use a tutorial. That said, it looks like it'd be pretty helpful if I could do that.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't see anything it can do that I can't do (and haven't done for years) myself. The basic computer allows me to keep all of the files I need, and even to split screen them, as needed.

After you've done a few books, it all seems to become pretty automatic just with the help of a computer.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I use the OS X version, Scrivener. I like it very much.

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

I have it but haven't had the patience to figure it out or use a tutorial. That said, it looks like it'd be pretty helpful if I could do that.

I found A 9 minute tutorial here that has me up and rolling with it already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti5HNVVIV1w

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

I don't see anything it can do that I can't do (and haven't done for years) myself. The basic computer allows me to keep all of the files I need, and even to split screen them, as needed.

After you've done a few books, it all seems to become pretty automatic just with the help of a computer.

That puts you at the level of a world class runner while I am just an infant scooting around on my ass that has not yet begun to crawl I need all the help I can get to "find my feet".

 

[sr71plt]

That puts you at the level of a world class runner while I am just an infant scooting around on my ass that has not yet begun to crawl I need all the help I can get to "find my feet".

Then it's probably a good tool to start out with.

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

Thank you all for the input. I'm using it now. I don't intend to use it as my word processor but just to keep notes in so I don't get character names and such confused as I do more chapters in the series.

Thanks again!

 

[Safe_Bet]

That puts you at the level of a world class runner while I am just an infant scooting around on my ass that has not yet begun to crawl I need all the help I can get to "find my feet".

*ahem*. Actually, SR's comment puts him at the level of a world class egotistical asshole. The dude write's porn stories not freakin Tolstoy, FFS!

Listen to the other folks who know as much or more than Mr. "I'M Better Than YOU! Bullshit artist (many of whom write WAY better) and you'll learn more, IMO.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't see anything it can do that I can't do (and haven't done for years) myself. The basic computer allows me to keep all of the files I need, and even to split screen them, as needed.

After you've done a few books, it all seems to become pretty automatic just with the help of a computer.

If I created it, I can remember it even the computer isn't really necessary for more than a quick check back to make sure of a very small detail. All the major stuff should be able to stay in your brain while you're working on the project.

The more you rely on "tools" the less likely you're going to be to be able to organize things on your own. Once you can and you have different things going than this can be useful, but for one project I doubt it's needed.

It's like letting a calculator always do basic math for you.

 

[sr71plt]

If I'm working a short standalone, I usually don't need more than a couple of notes written on a notepad. The longer the work, though, and, certainly, for subsequent books in a series, a fuller separate computerized reference file becomes increasingly necessary for me. The basic computer functions can handle this fine, though--at least for me.

What I don't do is an elaborate character and plot mapping before I start. I think this only ties the author in to using elements that may have no relevance to the work as produced or that may limit where the work can expand to.

 

[PennLady]

I think any program or whatever that helps you keep track of characters, plots, etc., is fine. There's no one way to construct a story that works for everyone. I like the idea of yWriter, just haven't used it (thanks for the link, MoJo).

LC, I think it's a little presumptuous to think everyone thinks, or keeps stuff in mind, the way you do. Everyone's brain works differently, and to use a tool isn't a mark of weakness. It's probably a sign that they know what works best for them.

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

*ahem*. Actually, SR's comment puts him at the level of a world class egotistical asshole. The dude write's porn stories not freakin Tolstoy, FFS!

Listen to the other folks who know as much or more than Mr. "I'M Better Than YOU! Bullshit artist (many of whom write WAY better) and you'll learn more, IMO.

Safe Bet I was simply bowing to his experience. I am the first to admit I am a total noob at this stuff. What I have posted here is pretty much the total of my experience. I've lurked around these boards for a week or so and am aware that not everyone gets along. I prefer to try and get along with everyone and learn from everyone. I have a great deal of respect for you ALL because you are ALL more experienced than I am.

I'm laid back and non confrontational in all aspects of my life. I am a gay female living in the bible belt being confrontational could well get me killed. I am an “old school” Butch which means even some of my own orientation consider me to be sexist and a traitor to my orientation because I “act” like a man.

I'd just like to get along with everyone and learn. I'm here to learn not to get my ego stroked. If you want to have a peeing contest with SR I'll just sit back, not interfere and take notes for future reference. Peace! I did not take offense at what he said.

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

Again thanks to EVERYONE for the advice. I was just thinking that if I found myself writing chapter 8 and I needed to know the name of the Innkeeper in chapter 3 it would be handy.

 

[sr71plt]

Again thanks to EVERYONE for the advice. I was just thinking that if I found myself writing chapter 8 and I needed to know the name of the Innkeeper in chapter 3 it would be handy.

Yes, it would. I do keep notes on character names. But is the ywriter5 on your computer? If so, you have to toggle to that when you want to check a character name--rather than just looking down at a list you've written out on a notepad next to the computer?

I usually compose on a big monitor screen, so I can split screen my text and my notes. Does the ywriter5 do something like that as well?

 

[Saxon Stonedyke]

I sit in a recliner and use a 32" LCD monitor because of my arthritis. If you check out that 9 minute link on youtube it shows that characters, items and places can be organized by chapter and scene. I think you can split screen if you use it as the word processor as well.

 

[Derroreaper]

I use a steno pad with notes for each story I'm working on. I downloaded this, and will check it out, because I'm always looking for a better more efficient way of doing things. I've tried demos of other "Writing software" and found them to be a slow and tedious way of doing things.